NEWSLETTER

Within the Caldera

Admired from the inside of the Caldera, the views of Santorini will be a memorable experience. Even if you arrive on the island by ferry or cruise ship in the afternoon, this awe-inspiring land will leave you speechless. The sunset light adds more colour to the scene and you will have the feeling that you are sailing across the centre of the crater. You may do this tour by private boat, or choose one of the organized sea excursions.

1. Ammoudi-AkrotiriStarting from Ammoudi, the small port below Oia, you leave behind you the church of Aghios Nikolaos Peramataris, and pass by Armeni. It is worth making a stop in the small beach of Epta Paides (Seven Holy Youths). You can tie up your boat at the small cement wharf and visit the one-room church. Have a look at the greenery on the rocks: these are caper plants.From here to Imerovigli, there are many bays and beaches where you can enjoy a quiet swim (Mouzakia bay area). However, it is a bit difficult to put down anchor in these spots. Sailing in front of Skaros you will notice the small church of Panagia Theoskepasti. In the area from Gialos (the old port of Fira) until you reach Athinios (the new port), you will notice the loading docks and facilities of three old Santorini mines. All these mines exported Theraic earth and pumice to big cement factories. To isolate the required material, Theraic earth and pumice were processed through fine or coarse sieves and then conveyor belts and funnels were used to load the ships.Heading south you will come across a small white church with a triple belfry: it is Panagia (Virgin Mary) of Plaka. Here you can also find contemporary hot spring facilities during the summer.Almost below Megalohori, near Plaka, you will come across a small rock-hewn church devoted to Christ, in an area called Thermi, where there used to be thermal springs – hence the name "Christos ta Thermi".If you approach by sea, the white arched façade of the church looks very impressive, as if painted on the rock, surrounded by rock-hewn, deserted houses. A stone-paved path from Megalohori leads here in less than half an hour.You are heading towards Akrotiri and the lighthouse, but before you reach it you will pass by Balos (or Palos) bay. Two white-washed churches stand out in the landscape: Aghios Nikolaos of Balos, at sea level, and the rock-hewn Panagia of Balos, built high up on the cliffs.

2. To Palaia & Nea KameniSailing around Palia Kameni, you will come across three coves where you can take a swim. The waters are warm and therapeutic. In the channel between Palia and Nea Kameni, the sea is emerald green, while near the rocks it takes a unique shade of yellow, orange and brown. In Aghios Nikolaos, Palia Kameni, you can enjoy the thermal sulphur baths.

3. Therasia – Trypiti PromontoryTherassia shares the same vistas, morphology and architectural lines with Thera. Several hundreds of people have settled on the opposite side of the Caldera, striving to lead a simple, modest life.The most impressive spot is in the south part of the island. It is Trypiti Promontory, where you will distinguish the successive layers of the volcanic materials. Geologists consider this the most beautiful volcanic "vein". Due to the erosion of the surrounding materials, this "vein" sticks out looking like a wall.

INFO

Mavro Vouno (Black Mountain). Don't confuse it with Mesa Vouno, on which ancient Thera was built, or Mavro in Oia. This Mavro Vouno is on the south end of the island, just before you reach the Akrotiri lighthouse, standing out thanks to its colour and its impressive lava formations. The rocks are 100,000 years old and some of their openings lead to submarine caves. The most perceptive of you will notice that the rocks of Mavro Vouno form a strange figure. Some people call it "Indian" because of its crooked "nose". Others, who knew the famous archaeologist and professor Spyros Marinatos who was in charge of the excavations in the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri, call it "Marinatos".

The figure is outlined more clearly when the sun is going down.

The beaches at the southern end of Santorini (such as Vlychada, Kokkini and Aspri beach, Kampia, and others) are accessible by asphalt or dirt road.

Between Mavro Vouno and the lighthouse in Akrotiri, you will come across a remote beach, protected from the wind and accessible only by boat. Although you may enjoy it in privacy, mooring will be a difficult task, if not almost impossible with a sailing or high-speed boat. The waters being quite deep and the bottom of the sea rather rocky, it will be easier if you reach the shore by inflatable boat. This is a common problem in all secluded beaches with no road access in the Caldera: there is no way to moor or drop anchor! It is much easier to drop anchor or moor in Aspronisi. This beach is also accessible by ferry.